Category Archives: Shotokan Karate

Solis Ortus students attended extra training on Friday afternoons to sharpen their karate skills and technique to prepare for JKA Gauteng. This tournament was held over two days and our youngsters who participated on the Friday were all too happy to miss the last day of school.

On Friday, Solis Ortus had a total of 145 entries!!! The day started off with our young white, yellow and orange belts. Some students competed for the first time, showing immense control over their emotions and their ability to shine was super nova bright. The Solis Ortus parents made sure that the karatekas were at the hall in time; everybody was relaxed and ready to do what they trained for. The whole Solis Ortus family sat together and helped to get everybody ready. It so great to see how we rally behind our students, it gives you a sense of pride and a sense of belonging. To all the students who participated on Friday – Well done guys. You were absolutely awesome!!!! We hope you continue working for what you want to achieve!!

On Saturday, Solis Ortus seniors were part of 36 entries. Competition was tough and the divisions were strong. Some of our Seniors medalled, others qualified for Nationals and a few obtained the experience needed to grow and better themselves.

A huge thank you to Annschen van Zyl (Mother of Brown belt Winette van Zyl), Andre Myburgh (Father of mini Adriaan Myburgh and orange belt Anica Myburgh) and Ruan van der Westhuizen (father to white belt Yanika van der Westhuizen and Yellow Juan van der Westhuizen) who assisted as Managers for the Solis Ortus team. Without your assistance it would be a near impossible mammoth task to get our students to the floor, keep them calm and collected. To Veronica Myburgh (main Coach), Beatrix Lotter-Moolman, Johan de Wit, Savannah Hauser and Winette Van Zyl, thank you for coaching the Solis Ortus Team, for being the familiar face next to the floor and offering the necessary motivational words when needed. Your time and assistance is appreciated beyond measure.

The program started at 11:00 on Friday morning and by 19:00 that evening we were all done. The day was filled with katas from various styles and kumite divisions for 8 to 9 year olds, Veterans and Masters. The whole day was very laid back, as the majority of the competitors were reserving their energy for Saturday. Solis Ortus karateka sparkled like diamonds. Some landed in huge divisions, but still did their absolute best. Our students never faltered and did exactly as they practiced.

Saturday morning kicked-off at 9:00 with the hall abuzz with energy as male and female, young and old kareteka, geared up for the kumite day to make their mark as the best fighters in Gauteng. The Children category (age 7 to 13) inspired us with their tenacity and ability to overcome the “newness” of the compulsory protective gear they had to wear. Our Solis Ortus students were on fire: they were fast and fierce, keeping the adrenaline coursing through the crowd. It was an absolute pleasure cheering for Solis Ortus.

All and all, 15 Solis Ortus kareteka competed at the GKF Championships, taking 12 medals in total: 3 Bronze, 3 Silver, and 6 Gold! What an awesome achievement for all who competed, even those that did not medal. Any time spent on the tatami is invaluable, as each time provides a new experience.

SAs will take place in Cape Town on 15 and 16 March for all children, and on 1 and 2 March in Durban for all Seniors. We wish all those who qualified only the best. Train hard and believe in your own abilities. Be awesome! (OSS-some)

This weekend Solis Ortus hosted the JKA GN trials. The Tshwane region entered 180 entries of which Solis Ortus consisted of 110 karatekas of all ages. With a team like that we can only stand proud to announce that most of our athletes medalled and have the opportunity to compete in the JKA GN tournament to receive their colours.

As host, Solis Ortus strives to be on time with the events as scheduled and wrote a new page in their rich history of 40 years. New champions in the making couldn’t hide their overjoyed excitement of the medals and places they have achieved. Parents were ecstatic….and definitely indulged in the joy for their young champions with a treat afterwards. We as instructors, stand proud and wish each athlete only the best in their new karate journey.

For our more frequent and more experienced competitors, well done. Remember to take the hands of our new champions in the making, and help them grow the same love for the sport. Encourage them, praise them and be an ambassador for your club, your region, and your province…..and of course the ultimate, your country.

As the year reaches its end, we are busy preparing for grading the 1st December 2018, and wishing you all a fantastic and successful grading. For those who are preparing for exams, stay focused, breath, drink a lot of water, eat healthy and keep on training.

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” Robert Collier

Congratulations and good luck to all your endeavours this month….see you all on grading day!

Solis Ortus conquered the Spartan and Lions Challenge at the Portuguese Hall, Turffontein, Johannesburg; the past two weekends.

The Club entered a team of 18 karatekas to compete in the Spartan All Styles event. A total of 9 karatekas competed in their first All Styles event. Solis Ortus was also represented by 2 team Kumite groups who fought like champions. The junior team just missed the gold medal. The cadets came out on top in their group with a deserving gold! The team earned 12 gold, 9 silver, 2 bronze and 8 participation medals = 31 in total (excluding the team events).

Savannah Hauser had tough a few ladies competing against her, but did not stand back and took the punches (and gave a few strong one’s) like a champ! Well-deserved gold in Kata and silver for Kumite.

Tiaan Uys fought like a warrior in the senior male division. Not only did he crush his competitors, he had the whole Solis Ortus club behind him during each fight. First fight in 10 years, Tiaan, well done!!! Your silver medal was well deserved.

The Solis Ortus team walked away proudly and this event is surely one to remember!

New to the coaching team with Sensei Lillian was Savannah Hauser and Darius Peenze who had their first coaching opportunities. Still lots to learn, but enjoying every moment of being with the kids!!

At the Lions Challenge, a variety of competitors entered. Some newbies who competed for the first time, some with more experience and then our frequent competitors. Solis Ortus made history and entered the youngest competitor of the tournament; our very own 4 year old tigress who competed in a division where her competition was much older. She stood her ground and bravely won a gold medal in kata.

Competition in the more elite divisions is getting tougher. Most of our karatekas medalled and out of 13 competitors we achieved 13 medals; 5 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals.

Solis Ortus is overjoyed to see how the youngsters grow and succeed in their karate journey. Solis Ortus stand proud to witness each karateka grow as an athlete and also as an individual.

With the outstanding support from the Solis Ortus parents and our Sensei and coach, we had a very successful Spartan and Lions Challenge.

Solis Ortus came out victoriously with a total of 17 gold, 12 silver and 7 bronze medals; a total of 36 medals out of 26 participants in both tournaments.

Hannalore Constable, Lolly as we know her in class has been selected to be part of the National karate team of University Sports South Africa (USSA).

Lolly was preliminary selected for the National team in October 2017 at the USSA competition held at the Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT’s) Shoshanguve campus. The final selection took place on 17 February 2018 at TUT’s campus in Pretoria.

The USSA National team participated in the 2018 International University Sports Federation World University Karate Championship, 19 – 22 July in Kobe, Japan.

She competed in the U61 kg’s Female kumite category and was the only South African who made it through to the second round. Winning the first fight 4-1 to Switzerland and losing the second fight to France by only one point, gave her the lifelong experience to excel and focus on her strengths. The standard of karate at the tournament was unbelievably high.

She stated that Japan is a beautiful country and the people are very polite and friendly. She also mentioned that the trip would have not been the same without her fellow team mates. They had loads of fun together and even got lost in Osaka, the second largest city in Japan, for 3 hours.

Solis Ortus congratulate Lolly for her achievement and wishing her all the best of luck for her future karate endeavours. We are extremely proud of her, train hard, stay focussed and believe in yourself.

She is an elite athlete, 6th Dan, a Podiatrist, devoted about helping and healing people, a perfectionist and passionate about her karate.

She also had the honour and privilege to grade in Japan.

Solis Ortus had the pleasure to train with Sensei Marina in the beginning of August.

Her focus was plyometric drills, strength, endurance, muscle fatigue, legs and speed. Muscle fatigue is mostly our enemy. She focused on low stances and how to overcome weaknesses and replace it with endurance. Her philosophy is not to give up when your legs are tired but to overcome it with endurance and built strength into your legs. She cleverly combined plyometric and kata training to build strength and speed. Most of her techniques were built around Empi.

Because her passion resides more to kata, she especially helped the older generation to improve their way of applying their kata with more meaning. She indicated that if you are not fast, at least do your kata with feeling….fast is fast and slow is slow…do not rush.

Her patient, methodical, helpful way of teaching was an inspiration to improve ourselves in our karate journey. Class was hard and we definitely received a full body workout. Our senior class really appreciated and enjoyed a well-planned, hard class with Sensei Marina and we look forward to inviting her for another training session.

She admired Sensei Eugene as a top athlete and as an enthusiastic instructor; and complemented Solis Ortus as a well-organised dojo with good vibes.

We, as Solis Ortus karatekas, want to thank Sensei Marina for her dedication and contagious love for karate, and the honour to have trained with her. Thank you to Sensei Eugene for the opportunity to train with such incredible senseis.

Croatia is located in Central and Southeast Europe, bordering Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the southeast, Montenegro to the southeast, the Adriatic Sea to the southwest and Slovenia to the northwest. The panoramic and scenic city with beautiful beaches and historic buildings, hosted the WKF Youth camp and Cup in Umag Croatia.

PW Pentz was amongst the young karatekas from countries all over the world to participate in a record-breaking edition of the 11th WKF Youth Training Camp in Umag, the idyllic city that has become the core of grassroots Karate. The massive event started on Monday with the first sessions of the Training Camp, in which the future of Karate has the chance to meet the legends and World champion acting as instructors.

His fate was measured on 7/7/2018, 08h30, U14 kumite division on tatami 5. There were 58 competitors in his division. Solis Ortus fans and parents experience nail biting moments until the results came through.

PW won his first fight against Sweden 7-1; won his second fight against England 7-0; and lost his 3rd fight 2-0 against Italy.

What an achievement, privilege and honour you have experienced. You worked so hard in preparing yourself, and have conquered all your injuries and setbacks and emotional rollercoaster to become our champ.

You have earned your position to represent your family, your country and your dojo at this awesome event!! Solis Ortus salutes you with pride!!